Battle of in-laws in Rajasthan

Sunita Netarwas, a school teacher, is facing a dilemma. She has to choose between her father and father-in-law in Dhod constituency.

Sunita Netarwas, a school teacher, is facing a dilemma. She has to choose between her father and father-in-law in the Dhod assembly constituency in Sikar district. Sunita's father, Om Prakash Jheegar, is the Congress candidate from Dhod, while father-in-law, Rameshwar Ranwa, is the BJP nominee.

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There is a third samdhi in the race too — Ramdev Meharia, six-time MLA, who is contesting as an Independent. Ranwa's second son is married in Meharia's clan.

"I will have to vote for my father-in-law," said Sunita, who is staying in her parents' house while her husband, Moolchand, is busy campaigning for his father. "After all, they are my new family, new home," she says, looking up to her grandfather, Bhimraj, as if seeking reassurance.

When asked about Meharia's electoral clout, Bhimraj burst out, "Om Prakash will win."

"Hanh, pahle bhi Papa haraa chuke hain Meharia ko (Yes, my father defeated Meharia earlier also). It was in the zilla parishad election," added Sunita, recoiling immediately as if caught in some wrong act.

Dhod, however, is a "comrade constituency". People speak fondly of sitting CPI(M) MLA Amraram for his development works Moolchand said the CPI (M) was turning youngsters into "comrades who indulge in drinking and altercations", thus losing sanskar. It is because of this tradition that he wanted his wife to vote for his father. "After marriage, she belongs to her sasural where she has to spend her entire life," he said.

But Sunita, who remembers her father's victory against Meharia, will still have a choice when she is left alone with the ballot paper.